Exercise Apparatus and Method of Use

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus particularly arranged to exercise the gluteus muscle group consisting of a flexible longitudinal member, a flexible cross member mounted beneath and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal member, a foot assembly arranged to engage the feet of the user disposed at one end of the longitudinal member, and a strap assembly emanating from each side of the cross member arranged to fasten about the torso of the user all combined to provide resistance to an upward hip thrust by the user arching or bowing the longitudinal member in the process.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on a provisional application Ser. No. 61/713,716 filed Oct. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention resides in the field of exercise equipment and more particularly relate to devices arranged to provide resistance to the use of lower body muscles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The invention described below is an apparatus and method of use particularly designed for isolating and exercising the gluteus muscle group, otherwise known and referred to by practitioners in the field as the glutes, without developing other muscle groups such as the quadriceps in the process. Many people, particularly women, have an interest in toning, lifting and shaping the glutes, but do not want big, muscular legs. Exercising the glutes is also important for improving sports performance, such as improving the vertical jump in basketball and volleyball, and sprinting or explosively moving heavy objects as in football. Working the glutes also helps prevent and relieve low back pain, improves sexuality, and provides the health benefits of exercising one of the biggest and potentially strongest muscle groups in the body. Exercising the glutes may also help prevent osteoporosis and hip fracture in the elderly, especially if the method of exercise can be performed in a prone position so as not to compromise balance, does not require heavy weights, and is otherwise safe and convenient. Many prescribed exercises, such as squats, or popular group fitness routines, which claim to target the glutes, tend to develop the legs even more.

One method that succeeds in isolating the glutes is the well known glute bridge exercise. By thrusting hips upwards while lying on the back with heels proximal to the buttocks, the body arches into a bridge, with only the feet and upper back remaining in contact with the floor. The glutes are recruited especially during the final phase of the thrust, and anyone new to this exercise will benefit in the short term with slightly more toned buttocks. However, because there is minimal resistance, one quickly acclimates to this partial bodyweight only exercise after just a few sessions; thus benefits plateau. For longer-term gains in muscular growth and strength, progressive resistance, i.e., adding resistance as muscles acclimate, or multiple steps of different resistance levels, is recommended.

Certain variations of the glute bridge exercise, although not very practical, are nevertheless sometimes used. Weights may be held over the hip region to add resistance, but this is awkward and limited by how much weight can safely and comfortably be used. A thickly padded barbell with added weights can also be placed over the hip region while lying on the floor, offering even more resistance to a hip thrust. Because the hamstring muscles are required in the initial phase of the thrust, constant resistance versus hip elevation, as occurs when using weights, is counter to a goal of specifically isolating the glutes.

Existing exercise equipment such as the Skorcher apparatus provides structure to support a barbell, or other means of resistance, and also claims an enhanced range of motion via elevated foot and back supports as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,172,736, Contreras.

This approach requires heavy, expensive equipment taking up lots substantial floor space, and requires significant effort or help from others to change resistance levels. Generally, only serious athletes resort to such measures, and there exists a need for more convenient, lightweight, easy and portable equipment for specifically isolating the glutes. Also, from a physiological standpoint, an enhanced range of motion beyond the glute bridge motion, as is claimed by the Contreras patent, does not appear to really provide much added benefit to the glutes, but rather heavily recruits the hamstring and other muscle groups. The glutes are large and powerful, but generally only come into play during the final phase of a thrusting motion.

The present invention provides a means for improving upon the glute bridge exercise by adding linearly increasing, as hips move upwards, progressively adjustable resistance, but in a much more portable, convenient, easy, low-cost manner than is presently available, and in a way that doesn't involve weights. The present invention provides resistance in the range of a minimal resistance of less than 10 lbs for warm-up purposes, to a maximal resistance sufficient to oppose most humanly possible effort, for example upwards of 200 lbs specifically directed to the glute muscles, using a device of comparatively small weight and is portable enough to slide under a bed or fit into a slim carrying case. The present invention is particularly suitable for home use and group fitness classes, and has the additional benefit of allowing for progressive resistance exercises for other important muscle groups, such as the abdominals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein functions by providing progressive, i.e., variable resistance, from easy to hard or low to high, in a physiologically relevant range. It consists of a lightweight, thin, narrow, flexible, resilient longitudinal member, for example a hickory or maple board with grain running in the direction of the long axis, adapted to be positioned under the body, that flexes and contours during a glute bridge motion and stores energy like a bow, but having a flexed shape is more complex than a simple arc. To eliminate squeezing force on the sides of the hips, contribute to the total flex resistance, and position the resistance vectors where needed to oppose a vertical hip thrust, an additional thin, narrow, hip-wide flexible cross member is positioned perpendicular to and near the center the first.

A belt or strap with adjustable buckle or Velcro closure is threaded through slots in the cross member, which may be slightly angled to redirect force even more precisely and prevent the belt from bunching in the slot, such that it can be fastened snugly over the hips while lying on the device. The device is sufficiently thin and shaped such that, with minimal padding or even none at all, it is comfortable to lie on when the longitudinal member is aligned with, and directly under, the spinal column.

A foot bar assembly arranged to engage the feet of the user to facilitate and augment the use of the longitudinal and cross members is disposed at one end of the longitudinal member.

Because the head/shoulder end of the longitudinal member extends to between the shoulder blades, the very part of the anatomy that presses against the floor during a glute bridge motion, this region of the longitudinal member is held flat against the floor while the central portion arcs upwards during a hip thrust. Thus the opposing resistance seen by the hips is substantially greater than if the longitudinal member were simply flexed like a bow. In fact, much more resistance is available from these thin, light structural members than would be obvious by simply holding the boards and flexing them. Even if the foot end of the main element is not held down at all, resistance to a hip thrust is moderately greater than from the glute bridge exercise alone, and in fact, this level of resistance is appropriate for a warm-up exercise or as a starting point for beginners.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to unique ways to obtain variable resistance, opposing muscular effort in exercise equipment, for example, from a resilient structural member by controlling its deformation into shapes more complex than a simple arc. Resilient structural member refers to materials that store energy elastically when deformed, and may consist of, but are not limited to, spring steel, certain species of wood such as hickory, maple, ash or oak, polymer materials or composites such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, or any combination or layering of these various materials.

Some prior art exercise equipment incorporates resilient elements to provide resistance to muscular effort. Generally, these elements flex in simple arcs with multiple elements being interchanged or used in combination to offer variable resistance. The present invention allows for a physiologically relevant range of progressive resistance using only a single adjustable assembly. As illustration, consider a thin, rectangular resilient element with a string connecting its ends like a bow. Standing on the mid-point of the string and lifting on the center of the element demonstrates a minimal resistance, depending on the material's bending strength, as the element deforms into a simple arc. However, a dramatic increase in resistance is observed by standing on each end of the element, forcing the ends to stay flat on the floor, as the central zone arcs upward. Resistance is variable and can be increased even more by moving the feet closer to the center of the element. Thus, a wide range of resistance is available from a single element depending on how the shape is allowed to deform, so long as the yield strength of the chosen material is not exceeded over the desired range of motion.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to connecting, multiple resilient members, or using more complex shapes of a single resilient member, to place resistance vectors in anatomically relevant positions, as in fitness equipment for exercises to isolate specific muscle groups. For example, two rectangular resilient members could be combined to form a cross, such that both elements flex to provide summed resistance during use, but now the resistance is symmetrically available at two positions. Alternatively, a single member formed into an oval or circle, flexing in two dimensions, could be used to appropriately distribute resistance vectors.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to methods of coupling the resilient members, as described above, to the body during exercise to control the member's deformation into shapes more complex than a simple arc, and thus varying its resistance. Such coupling could be direct, as with a specific body part resting upon a resilient member, or indirect, as by coupling a portion of a resilient member to the body through, but not limited to, mechanical, elastomeric, for example, bungee cords or rubber straps for example, or rope connections.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a minimization of structural requirements of exercise equipment for specifically isolating certain muscle groups, such as the gluteus or abdominal muscles. Functional exercise devices using the technology described above can be designed such that the resilient elements themselves make up the bulk of the device. Compact design and minimal usage of materials for structure are especially desirable for convenient, inexpensive, lightweight and compact exercise equipment for home use or group fitness classes.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the description of the preferred embodiment and drawings which follow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the invention in use;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of one component of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating the invention in use;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view further illustrating the invention in use;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a component of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a partially altered component of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a fully altered component of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a component of the invention in an alternative alteration;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the alteration FIG. 10 in use;

FIG. 12 is a chart illustrating fundamental characteristics of the invention in progressive altered configurations;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the invention showing an alternative use; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the invention showing an additional alternative use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention consisting of a flexible longitudinal member 10, a flexible cross member 12 mounted beneath and substantially perpendicular to longitudinal member 10, and a foot assembly 14. A strap 16 is disposed along the underside of cross member 12 passing through slots 18 and 20 which may be angled to provide smoothness of operation as illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows the use and positioning of the apparatus to perform the upward hip thrust exercise for which the device is designed. Buckles 22 and 24 fasten together to secure the strap about the body of the user in turn securing longitudinal member 10 to the torso at the hips. Longitudinal member 10 is held at the lower end against the exercise support surface, a floor or mat for example, by the downward pressure of the users feet interacting with the foot assembly, and, at the upper end, by the weight of the users back. This fixes the end points of longitudinal member 10 thus providing the inherent resistance of the resilient member against which the users muscles must work to accomplish the exercise.

As shown in FIG. 4, the foot assembly consists of a foot bar 26 extending either side of the longitudinal member 10 attached by at least one elastomeric coupling cord 28 which passes through a pattern of holes 30 disposed in longitudinal member 10 and 32 disposed in foot bar 26 providing for multiple component configurations which result in a range of possible resistance settings to the upward arching of longitudinal member 10. Further shown is a central recess 34 disposed in in bar 26 and an exemplary arrangement in which cord or cords 28 may pass through holes 30 and 32 to couple the components of the assembly. Additionally, a knob 36 having a peg, not shown, may be positioned in holes 38 at various locations along longitudinal member 10 to engage cords 28 as will be further described below.

Increases in resistance to hip thrust are facilitated by how the feet are coupled to the foot end of longitudinal member 10. Coupling could be direct, for example, if feet were placed on top of the foot end of the longitudinal member, or if a footplate were rigidly attached to longitudinal member 10 in the region near the foot end. In this configuration, very high resistance to the glutes is experienced when a hip thrust is attempted. This is again because longitudinal member 10 would be forced to stay flat, now at both ends, while the central part arcs up, and the further the footplate is positioned away from the foot end of the longitudinal member and towards its center, the higher this maximal resistance would be.

The present invention allows for both indirect and direct coupling of feet to longitudinal member 10 using foot assembly 14. Although other mechanical coupling is possible, for example with hinges, sliding parts or other hardware, smoother operation is observed with elastomeric cord coupling for lower resistance settings, and more direct coupling for higher resistance settings. A footplate or foot bar, a cylindrical footrest positioned perpendicularly near the foot end of the main element, with multiple attachment points to the longitudinal member provides a way to vary and integrate total resistance through adjustment of the tension of each individual elastomeric element or cord in the lower resistance settings. By circumventing the elastomeric coupling and pushing and flipping the foot bar, without disconnecting the coupling means, onto the top of the longitudinal member, additional settings in the very high resistance range in a direct coupling mode are achieved.

Central recess 34 of foot bar 26 allows the foot end of the main element to rest closer to the floor for more comfortable sitting on the device prior to use. The recess also allows access inside a hollow foot bar, PVC pipe for example, to thread bungee cord, or other cord, and hide the knotted ends or other means of securing the cord. The elastomeric or cord coupling of foot bar to longitudinal member 10 also allows the foot bar to be turned parallel to longitudinal member 10 or compact shipping and storage. Although a foot bar is shown as a preferred method for most users, a wide range of resistance is also possible using a similar means of coupling to a rectangular or other shape of footplate. Various exemplary resistance settings using foot bar 26, longitudinal member 10, and coupling cord 28 configurations are presented as follows.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment with a low resistance setting, with the foot bar 26 under longitudinal member 10, and with a relatively loose cord coupling of foot bar to longitudinal member 10.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment illustrating a medium resistance setting, within the low resistance zone, i.e., foot bar under longitudinal member 10, whereby two cords 28 are pre-tensioned by stretching over knob 36.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment illustrating a high resistance setting, within the low resistance range, foot bar below longitudinal member 10, with two cords 28 and an additional cord 29 stretched over knob 36. The positioning of the foot bar along the longitudinal member 10 has moved back from the foot end, resulting in a further increase in resistance.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment illustrating a means to switch from a low resistance range, foot bar 26 under longitudinal member 10, to a high resistance range, foot bar above longitudinal member 10, with recess 34 facing down, by pushing and flipping the foot bar without disconnecting the elastomeric couplings 28.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment illustrating a lower resistance setting within the high resistance zone with the foot bar above longitudinal member 10. The very same cord arrangement as used in the low resistance zone, is now applied to hold the foot bar firmly in place on top of the longitudinal member 10.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment illustrating a very high resistance setting within the high resistance zone, foot bar above longitudinal member 10. The foot bar is now extended further from the foot end of longitudinal member 10, and firmly held behind knob 36, such that the tip region of longitudinal member 10 is forced to remain flat against the floor during a hip thrust movement.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention in use, illustrating a very high resistance setting within the high resistance zone, foot bar above longitudinal member 10, which is forced to remain flat against the floor during a hip thrust movement, resulting in a complex curve of the longitudinal member and a very high resistance at the hips.

The hamstring muscle group is recruited during the initial stages of a glute bridge exercise or hip thrust, with the glutes taking on more of the load as the hips rise further. If the goal is to specifically target the glutes, while limiting hamstring and other muscle group involvement, the resistance offered by the ideal exercise as a function of hip elevation should not be constant (as occurs when weights are used), but rather would increase as the hips are lifted. A typical resistance curve for an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the chart of FIG. 12.

The chart is a typical set of resistance plots of (low, medium and high resistance settings) for an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing how downward force on the hips increases linearly with elevation of the hips. This illustrates placing the most emphasis on the glutes exactly where they are heavily recruited in the higher elevation zone of the exercise, while minimizing impact on the hamstrings in the lower elevation zone.

The resistance curve data show the effectiveness of the proposed means of varying the resistance. For example, at a hip elevation of approximately 6 inches, an elevation where the glutes are playing the predominant role in the exercise, a low resistance setting offers approximately 60 pounds, a medium setting offers 100 pounds, and a very high resistance setting yields approximately 200 pounds. This represents an optimal range of resistance for the vast majority of the population. The present design of the invention allows for incorporation of additional resilient elements, for example by attaching stiffener ‘battens’ along parts of the length of the longitudinal and/or cross members, to accommodate those rare individuals desiring even greater resistance levels, such as serious bodybuilding, fitness, football, volleyball, track and field or basketball athletes. The glutes are among the largest and potentially most powerful muscle groups in the body, especially during the final stage of a hip thrust, where exercising with the present invention accentuates most.

The present invention also provides for application of enhanced methods of exercising the glutes. Sets of repetitions may be performed by moving the hips up and down only within a limited upper range of the exercise, thus maintaining a continuous level of stress specifically targeting the glutes, such that they have no chance to rest during the entire set. An added feature of the invention may include an elevation sensor or reporter device, such that the user is made aware when important hip elevation points are reached during the course of the exercise. For example, a clicker could indicate a midpoint elevation when glutes begin to be heavily recruited, and also a zenith point to indicate completion of a repetition. Thus, a user wishing to optimally exhaust the glutes, could perform a set by reversing direction of hip movement with each click of the reporter.

The technology used in the present invention can be applied to exercise devices for targeting other muscle groups. In fact, the very same exemplary embodiment of the invention for targeting the glutes, as shown above, can also be used to exercise other important and popularly targeted muscle groups such as the abdominals. FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention being used to apply significant and progressively variable resistance to a sit-up or crunch movement specifically targeting the upper abdominals. Beginners could add lengths of elastomeric or cord materials coupling hands to foot bar in order to start with lower resistance.

The present invention may also be used to specifically target the lower abdominals by placing the feet under the foot bar and lifting up on the bar as shown in FIG. 14.

The invention is accordingly defined by the following claims 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise apparatus particularly arranged to exercise the gluteus muscle group comprising in combination: A. a flexible longitudinal member; B. a flexible cross member mounted beneath and substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal member; C. a foot assembly arranged to engage the feet of a user disposed at one end of said longitudinal member; and D. a strap assembly emanating from each side of said cross member arranged to fasten about the torso of said user whereby resistance is provided to an upward hip thrust by said user by arching or bowing said longitudinal member.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said foot assembly is configured. to provide multiple levels of said resistance. 